5 Important Lessons from Ants

I love ants. Weird, right? They are fascinating creatures! If you ever get an opportunity to see a Discovery channel show on them check it out. These little guys can care up to seven times their own body weight! Not to mention the complex communities they set up where each ant plays a role. They’re incredible!

Proverbs 6:6-8 says, “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.”

This is a verse I memorized years ago and is still convicting every time I read it or think about it. And of course I think about it every time I see an ant.

– Ants communicate with each other to reach a desired goal. Communicate – don’t assume.

– Ants cooperate with one another. Be friendly and helpful.

– Ants aren’t lazy. Don’t be slothful.

– Ants plan ahead. If ants plan ahead and they only have somewhere near a 60 day lifespan, shouldn’t we?

The ants pictured above were making their way across my porch earlier this week and every time I went outside I was reminded that the Bible calls me a sluggard. Quite accurately I might add. Sure I could make the defense that I’m always busy – because I am. Or that my mind never slows down – because it doesn’t. However, I’m quite lazy.

I avoid doing things that I dislike doing or things that require more effort. Whether that’s ironing clothes or having an uncomfortable but needed conversation. I procrastinate and stay busy with other things. Right now, I need to be planning VBS that is happening way. too. soon! Could I have done it earlier? Yes. Did I over the past few months ever have an uninterrupted two hour block of time during the day where I could sit down and do it? Of course not. But I could have done it. I should have done it but I chose the easy road.

Wanna know a secret? The easy road always looks easy but once you get on it, it turns into the hard road. The hard road on the other hand looks hard but once you get on it, it turns out to be easy. The easy road is deceptive. It’s a liar. It’s the way of destruction, poverty, starvation, and desperation. It’s the way to financial ruin, wasted days, wasted weeks, wasted months, wasted years, and well, wasted lives. The hard road which seems to be difficult is actually the road to prosperity, blessing, fulfillment, happiness, and personal satisfaction. The hard road is the bumpy path that leads you to the top while the easy road is a slippery slope that leads you to the bottom. The only road that goes to the top is the hard road. It’s tough at first but it’s the only road that will get you to where you want to be.

I’m not saying to be a work-a-holic, to spend yourself till there’s nothing left, or to work 80+ hours a week. As a mom I know it’s easy to feel defeated at the end of, well, every day. I feel like with each day that passes I’m a little more behind on laundry, or housework, or corresponding with loved ones, etc. That’s a whole other post but the point I’m trying to make is don’t waste your life.

Don’t waste your life!

Especially on the things that won’t matter one iota next year. Get up and do something with the opportunities that God has placed before you. Whatever you do, do to the glory of God. (1 Cor. 10:31). Use your intelligence {ha! I have to share that I misspelled this word but spell-check saved me!}. Where was I? Okay, use your intelligence, your passions, your gifts, your resources, and do something. Do it with all your might! In the words of my third grade teacher, Mrs. Franklin, “Don’t just twiddle your thumbs!” Dear friend, life is happening, don’t let it pass you by.

What is it that you know you need to do this week that has been left undone in your life? It will probably take you less than five seconds to answer that question. I’ve already answered the question in my own life. Now that you know what it is, name it. Write it down. Tell a friend for accountability. Leave it in the comments below if you want. Plan it out. Schedule it on your planner. Most importantly, do it. This week. No excuses.

While I am not a fan of ants {whenever I see one I feel like they are crawling all over me}… these are great lessons to be learned from one of mother natures most interesting creatures. I especially like the lesson of cooperation.

So true story – back in elementary school I was at camp and one of my best friends was feeling sad. We were sitting on the sidewalk and I was listening to her cry… watching a line of ants. I would go in to the entire story, but we ended up getting nose to nose on the ground with those little guys watching them – mesmerized at their drive and determination to move pieces of sand and stuff along the sidewalk. Honestly it was one of THOSE moments that put so much in to perspective.

I think the simplest of God’s creatures are the best at revealing his plans for all of us. You listed all good traits we should all aspire to have. Right now I am working at being productive vs. slothful. This Summer we have shut off the TV and are finding things we could or should do instead.

I am in love with this post! I love the scripture. I’ve always known that ants were work horses and that they were super smart. But I never really looked at thinking about taking their actions, and making them work in my own life. Very inspiring and motivational post!

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